more reasons why learning chinese is important

On Friday night, I had just sat down to an overly priced Italian dinner with some fellow outside-country-people. Suddenly, my phone rang, and as it is perfectly polite to speak on the phone in various settings (including in the bathroom, so THERE to everyone who thought I was a freak for doing so), I picked up and listened to the frantic sound of my Chinese friend, Zao Zao (as in, Early Early). He said something about how I had to get to him RIGHT NOW and there were some VIP tickets he had and they were $1000 RMB and they were very difficult to come by. I responded (picturing this VIP event to be a roomful of hundreds of dressed up Chinese people eating fancy food) that I had already sat down to eat, and maybe he should call his other friends. He said it probably wasn't possible, and was very resigned as he hung up the phone. He called back ten minutes later, and again I had to kindly but firmly turn him down. I found out later that he didn't go, because no one else could go.

I ALSO found out later that these tickets were not to a snuffy dinner, but actually to a rather big concert with superstars S.H.E., Jay Chou, and company. Despite the fact that I hate Jay Chou with a passion (but I am the unfortunate owner of Jay Chou bag, FREE! with my purchase of a motorola phone), I am a bit disappointed that I missed out on my chance to attend this event. My friend, Xialing, who was the one who gave me this vital information, couldn't stop laughing. "What, do they have VIP dinners in the states?" and "I can't believe he gave you those details without the definition."

Sigh. I guess I'll have to wait for the next chance to do something cool...